Automatic grinding machine



April 7, 1936, B; F STOWELL 2,036,658

AUTOMATIC GRINDING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 S S s s s o V/J K E X BY Br/wNFSau/f/.L N M IQ N ATTORNEYS APH] 7, 1936- B. F. sTowELL 2,036,658

AUTOMATIC GRINDING MACHINE Filed April 24. 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 4M A ORNEYS INVENTOR BY rRa/v F .S'TawfLL Filed April 24, 1934 8 Sheets-heet 3 INVENTORv Bm 0N E' ,Sra wf/.L

ATTORNEYS April 7,11936. B, F. s'rowELL AUTOMATIC GRINDING MACHINE April 7*, 1936.

AUTOMATIC GRINDING MACHINE Filed April 24, 1934 8 sheets-sheet 5 ATTORNEYS B. F. s'rowELL 2,036,658

April 7, 1936.

B. F. STCWELL AUTOMATIC GRINDING MACHINE Filed `April 24. 1934' 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 @www ATTORNEYS April 7, 1936.

B. F. sTowELL AUTOMATIC ,GRINDING MACHINE Filed April 24. 1934 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 H glt BYRON FSawf/.L

ATrRNEYs April 7, 1936.

B. F. s'rowELL 2,036,658 AUTOMATIC GRINDING MACHINE iled April 24,;1934 e sheets-sheet 8 INVENTOR yRoA/FSrowfLL ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 7, 1936 UNITED STATI-:s

PATENT OFFICE Van Norman Machine Tool Company, Springeld, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application April 24, 1934, Serial No. 722,055

15 Claims.

This invention relates to grinding machines, and has particular applicability to oscillating grinders of the type used for grinding the races of ball bearings. In many respects the machine forming the subject matter of this invention is an improvement on that shown in my prior Patents 1,918,14.7, July 11, 1933, and 1,926,603, September 12, 1933. Reference may be made to those patents for a description of details omitted here.

One object of the invention is to provide a mechanism adapted by slight changes in electrical connections for several different types of grinding operations. A further object is to improve upon the carriage positioning mechanism shown in my Patent 1,918,147, and to provide mechanism whereby this mechanism may be returned to its inactive position automatically upon the termination of the grinding operation. Another object is to provide improved mechanism for Aregulating and for changing automatically the rate of cross feed given to the grinding wheel. Another object is to the supply of a cooling liquid, so that various combinations of wet and dry grinding may be employed as desired. Additional 4objects will appear from the following description and claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a grinding machine embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is an end view of the machine, showing the cross feed mechanism and the mechanism for moving the carriage into or yout of operative position with the work;

Fig. 3 is a top plan detail of certain of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, partly in section;

Figs.- 4 and-5 are details, in top plan, of the carriage positioning mechanism, with the parts shown in different positions;

Fig. 6 is a detail, on an enlarged scale, taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. '7 is a side elevation of the cross feed actuating mechanism;

Fig. 8 is a detail, looking from the rear side, of parts shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a detail corresponding to a portion of Fig. 'I but with certain parts broken away to disclose other mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 7 but showing a different position of the parts;

. Fig. 11 is a top plan view oi the mechanism shown in Fig. 7;

Fig. 12 is a View similar to Figs. 7 and 10 but showing the parts in position for the complete disconnection of the cross feed;

toextend the automatic control Fig. 13 is a detail looking Fig. 7;

Fig. 14 is a view similar tain parts broken away;

Fig. 15 is a rear View of the machine; and

Figs. 16 to 2l are diagrams showing the manner of connecting the apparatus electrically for different operating sequences.

The general construction of the machine will first be described with reference to Fig. 1, it being understood that this particular form of grinding machine has been chosen for purposes of illustration only and that the control mechanism is in certain aspects adaptable to grinding machines of other types. The machine is mounted upon a frame 3D upon which is mounted an oscillating head 3|. As one form of oscillating mechanism for this head I have shown a spindle 32 projecting downwardly from the head 3| through the frame and carrying a crank pin 33. This pin is joined by a link 34 to a crank pin 35 mounted upon a shaft 36, which is suitably rotated continuously during the operation of the mechanism. Upon the oscillating head 3| are` ways 3l upon which a slide 38 is adjustably positioned by a screw 39. The work head 40 is carried by this slide, and has a spindle 4| bearing at its inner end a chuck 42 in which the work piece 43 may be gripped. Rotation is imparted to the spindle by a pulley 44 around which passes a suit-l able belt coming from a motor or other source of power.

The frame 30 is supplied with ways 45 (Fig. 2) carrying a slide 46 which constitutes the means for moving the tool head in a direction parallel to the axis of the grinding wheel. An accurate limiting position of this slide is obtained by means of a bracket 41 overhanging the frame and carryfrom the rear in to Fig. 11 but with cer- -ing a stop screw 48, so that when the slide is moved the desired amount to bring the wheel in the correct longitudinal position relative to the work the screw will abut the frame and stop any further movement.

Mounted in the slide 46 is a bearing 50 in which is fitted a shaft 5|. A gear 52 xed to the lower end of this shaft meshes with a rack 53 on the frame so that by rotating'the shaft it is possible to move the slide along its ways with a comparatively rapid motion. In order to rotate the shaft 5| a short arm 54 is clamped to it by a bolt 55. The arm 54 is not directly 'moved by the operator, but is actuated by connections to be described by a second arm 56 freely mounted on the shaft 5| by a stud 51. A cam plate 58, bearing at its end a contact roll 59 (Fig. 4), is

:also positioned under thehead of the studA 51, and is held in adjusted "position relative to the arm 56 by a stud and slot connection 60. The arm 54 is adapted to be moved from the position of Fig. 1, in which the tool-carrying slide is completely retracted, to the position of Figs. 4 and 5 in which the slide has reached its maximum position of advance with the screw 48 in contact with the frame. In the latter position a latch 6| on the arm 54 engages a stationary shoulder 62 to hold the arm fixed, the shoulder being formed on a member 63 adjustably secured to an arcuate T slot on the slide 46.

Engagement between the arms 54 `and 56 is normally accomplished by a plunger 65 located 'within the arm 56 and as shown in Fig. 3i pressed by a spring 66 towards the pivot of the arm; When held in its inner limit of motion the end of this plunger lies in back of a projection 61 on the arm 54, a plate 68 on the arm 56 engaging the other side of this projection so that the shorter arm is securely held. After the parts have been moved to the position of Fig. 3 it is necessary to unlatch the two arms in order that the arm 56 may be continued in its motion to perform other functions. This is `done by retracting the plunger 65 by a handle 10. 'I'he handle is pivoted at 1| to a bracket 12 on the arm 56, andnormally rests against a stop pin 13. A pin 14 (Figs. 3 and 6) extends downwardly from the handle 10 so as to lie at one side of a pin 15 attached to the plunger and extending through a slot 1 6 in the arm 56. If the handle is brought towards the side of the arm the plunger will be retracted sufliciently to clear the projection' 61 and permit the arm 56 to 4continue in its movement as shown in Fig. 5.

When the arm is at itsultimate limit of motion the roller 59'bears against a spring 11 secured to the side of a rocker 18 pivoted to the slide 46 at 19. l At its rear end this rocker has a rod 80 attached to it, the rod passing freely through a bracket 8| secured to a cross slide 82 and coupled to a second slide 83 mounted for movement upon the first and in the same direction. 'I'he rst slide is attached to the cross feed screw 84 of usual type, threaded into a'nut (not shown) in the main slide46 so that the cross feeding motion of slide '82'can be controlled accurately as will be described below. At the time when the .Y

mechanism now under consideration is in use the cross feed is not active, and for my present purposes the slide 82 can be considered as if xed on the slide 46. As the rocker 18 turns, therefore, it will move the upper slide 83 back a slight amount on the lower slide, sufficient to place the wheel in or out of operative relation to the work. The movement of the Wheel into engagement with the work occurs in two parts, a longitudinal motion of the slide 46,and a cross motion of the slide 83. The subsequent feed during grinding is accomplished by the slow motion of slide 32.I Denite limits to the travel of slide 83 on slide 82 are set by abutments 85 and by stop collars 86 on the rod 60. A spring 81 is provided to move the slide 83 in a direction to separate the wheel from the work when the rocker is released.

A latch 90 is pivoted at 9| (Fig. 6) to the bracket 12, and is drawn by a spring 92 (Fig. 3) so as to engage an electromagnetic releasing catch 93 (Figs. 4 and 5) of the type shown in Fig. 19 of my prior Patent 1,926,603. A full description of the action of this type of catch `being found in said patent, it will not be repeated here. It sufiicies to say that when an electrical impulse is sent through the device by mechanism to be described the arm 56 and the rocker -will bedieleased, and the slide 83 will at once move to'git's inactive position, separating-"the grindingwheel.

and the work. If it is desired to release the arm 56 manually this can be done through the handle 10 which moves plunger 65, the pin"1 5j-on the plunger contacting a pin 94 on rthe latch 90 and moving it out of engagement with the catch-93;., When the arm 56 is brought back to alignment with the arm 54 the beveled end' of plunger 65 will ride over the projection 61 into theposition shown in Fig. 3. At the same timea screw 95 on the plate 68 contacts with the tail 96 of latch '6| to move the latch against its spring 91 and release it from the shoulder 62. Further movement of arm 56 towards the position of Fig. 1

will now cause the slide 46 to be moved longitudinally of the frame.

The' mechanism for rotating the screw 84 and thus causing the cross feeding movement of slide 82 is generally similar to that shown in my prior Patent 1,926,603, but has several features of improvement. Upon the vertical shaft 36 previously mentioned is a cam (Fig. 1) upon which rests, outside the path of movement of the crank pin 35, a push rod |0|. The upper end of this push rod strikes a platel |02 pivoted'to the frame and operating as in said prior patent to afford a contact surface, independent of the longitudinal adjustment of the slide 46, for a tappet |03 slidable vertically in a feeding head |04 carried by the slide. 'Ihe upper end of the tappet underlies an arm pivoted to the head at |06. A pawl arm'|01 is connected to the arm |05 for motion therewith, and has pivoted to it a 'pawl carrier |08 secured to which is a pawl blade |09. A ratchet |0 is secured to the screw 64, and as the arm |05 is oscillated by the tappet this ratchet will be advanced by the pawl step by step in amounts dependent upon the throw given to the arm.

A spring is secured to the pawl arm |01 and bears against the pawl carrier, so that the pawl will be pressed yieldingly against the ratchet except when it is positively moved away to discontinue the feeding movement. This is done by a contact piece ||2 mounted on anarm |3 and adapted to strike a pin ||4 on the pawl carrier to move it from the position of Figs. 7 and to that of Fig. 12. 'I'he arm I3 is pivoted to the head |04 at ||5, and carries a handle |'|6 and a latch ||1 adapted to engage an electrically releasable catch I8. A spring I I8 serves both to pull the arm downwardly when the catch is released and to hold the latch in yielding engagement with the catch when the arm is raised.

The mechanism for reducing the amount of feed given to the ratchet at each elevation of the tappet is somewhat different from that shown in my prior patent. Pivoted to the head |04 at |20 is an arm |2| having a handle |22 and a latch |23 drawn inwardly by a spring |24. When the arm is raised the latch is held by an electrically releasable catch |25. The arm |2| has an extension |26 bearing a pin |21 having a handle |29 at one end and an eccentric stud |29 at the other. A stud |30 carried by the pivot |3| joining the pawl arm |01 and pawl carrier |08 is adapted to contact with the stud |29 when the pawl arm is in its'lowered position, as seen in Fig. 8. By turning the handle |28 the position of' the eccentric stud can be varied, a set screw |32 serving to hold it in adjusted position. The stud thus serves as an adjustable abutment which, when interposed in the path of the pawl carrier. varies of switches having different functions.

` of the pawl, the extent of which can be varied to change the stroke of the latter and thus the amount of rotation given at each operation to the ratchet.

The present apparatus is designed for use with the electrical gauge controlling mechanism shown in my Patent 1,926,603.' As the mechanism is the same, the gauge has not been illustrated in detail. The gauge itself is denoted by the char` acter |40, the first or roughing cut contact points by |4| (Figs. 16 to 21) and the second or nishing cut contact points by |42. These contacts are, in the present invention, used not only to control the rate of feed of the grinding wheel, but also to control other operations which will appear from the following discussion. f. As in the prior patent, the arms ||3 and |2| are arranged to operate certain switches upon their release, but in the present case each arm controls a pair The arm H3, as shown in Figs. 9 and 14, has a channelshaped member |44 embracing the handles of a pair of toggle switches |45 and |46. Arm .|2l

l has achannel-shaped member |41 embracing the handles of a pair of toggle switches |48 and |49. Of these'switches |65 and |48 are normally open, and |46 and |116 are normally closed; normal in each case referring to the condition with the arms ||3 and |21 in their inactive or lowered position. A fifth switch |56 is positioned to be contacted with by the slide moving arm 56 as this is moved into position to be held by the catch 93. The latter switch is normally open, and serves to energize the whole control mechanism when the arm is thrown into catch engaging position.

' Associated with this control mechanism are several individual units which may be of standard commercial manufacture and, therefore, need not be described in detail. A transformer |5| (Fig.

16) serves to convert the voltage (usually 110 volts) in the line |52 to the lower voltage (usually 16 volts) suitable for operation of the control mechanism. For controlling the supply of cooling fluid to the work from. the usual pump through pipes |53 and |54 (Fig. l) a solenoid valve |55 is used, normally open and closed at intervals through a relay or contactor- |56. A time delay relay |51, also of standard type, may

be employed where certain operations are to takev place after a predetermined time fromthe actuation of the control circuits.

Several control circuits to which the apparatus above lends itself will now be described. The

first circuit to be considered is shown in Fig. 16, and utilizes all of the apparatus. The switch |50, closed by member on the arm 56 when the latter is moved to place the wheel in operative engagement with the work, is connected to one side of the line |52 at |60, and is connected at |6I and |62 to one side. of the primary of the transformer |5|, the other side of which is connected to the line at |63. Since the control circuit derives its current from the secondary of the transformer the switch |50 acts to throw the entire control mechanism into operation. In this and other cases, the switches are given the designation C when they are closed by the movement ofthe control 'arms 56, H3, |2| into latched position, and O when they are opened by this movement. The arms I3 and |2| have of course been raised, and are held by the catches ||8 and |25 since no current is owing through these catches. The raising of these arms closes the switches |45 and |48 and opens the circuits through switches |46 and |40, so that the devices controlled bythe latter 'two switches will be inactive. The cooling water valve |55 is open when I no control current flows, and operates to permit water flow during the entire grinding operation except as stated. The grinding wheel `will be fed with its 'coarse feed until the gauge contacts.

|4I close.

When this occurs current will flow from the transformer secondary through the lines |64, 65, the contacts |4|, the line |66, switch |48, catch |25, and lines |61 and |68 back to the transformer. This energizes' the catch and releases the lever |2I. As the lever falls it opens switch |48, breaking the circuit described, andv closing switch |49. The closure of this switch completes a circuit through lines |64, |69, and |10, the control or low voltage side of the contacter |56, and lines |1| and |68 to the secondary of the transformer. As the control side of the contactor is energized it allows current to flow from one side of the main line |52 through lines |12 and |13, the solenoid valve |55, and line |14 back lto the other side of the main line. Valve |55 is normally open, and its closure shuts o the ow of cooling water to the work.

The machine continues to nish feed without cooling water until the gauge contacts |62 close. Current will then pass through lines |64, |65,

contacts |42, line |15, switch |45, catch H8, ,and lines |61 and |66 to the transformer.

The catch H8 is immediately released by the passage of current through it, and arm 3 drops, closing switch |46 and opening switch |65 so that no further current can pass through the gauge points |42. Closure of switch M6 permits current from the main line to pass through lines |60, |6|, |16, |11, and |18 to the time delay relay |51, setting this in action. As is usual in this type of relay, a primary contacter is immediately closed and a timing motor started which, after the lapse of the time for which the device is set opens the rst or primary contactor and closes another or secondary one. The closure of the primary contactor permits current to continue to ow through the relay coil of the Valve operating contacterA |56 by the path |64, |19, |80, |69, l|1| without passing through the switch |49, thus taking some of the load off from the latter. This is `not essential, but since the commercial time relays have this immediately closing contacter as well as a time delayed conof thetime delay rela-y has closed the secondary contactor lcurrent can flow through the path |64,

|19, |8|, and |68 through the lever holding catch 93. When current passes through this catch the arm," 6 will be released, moving the .wheel out of contact with the work, and opening the switch |50. This kills the 4entire control circuit and opens the valve |55,which it will be remembered is open except When/current is passing throughV the relay eou'of its ontacwr |56.

summarizing the operation of the device with the connections of Fig. 16, the grinding starts `with a rough feed, with the cooling water flowing. When the contacts |4| are closed the change from rough to finish grinding occurs and the water is shut oil'. -After the contacts |62 are closed the feed is stopped and the workisdry ground without relative advance of the work and wheel for a period of time determined by the operation of the time 'delay relay. To permit this |42 are set so as to by a predetermined amount from that desired in the finished work.

In the arrangement of parts shown in Fig. 17 the arm ||3 and its attendant parts are not used, only one rate of feed being employed. The switch |58 is closed as before, making a. circuit through the primary of the transformer |5| through the path |90, |50, |9|, |92, and |93 from the main line |52. When the contacts |4| close, current flows through the path |9, |4I, |55, |96, 56, and |91 from the transformer, energizing the relay 56 and shutting off the water during the finish grind. No change in fced rate occurs. When the finish grind has progressed suiiiciently to operate the contacts |42 the path |94, |42, |98, |45, |99, ||8,*200, |91 is completed to the transformer, the current tripping the catch H8 and allowing arm |2| to fall. This opens switch |45, breaking the circuit through the gauge points |42, and closes switch |6. A path |90, |50, thus provided from the main line through the energizing coil of the time delay' relay 51, closing its primary contacter and starting the timing motor. The primary contactor acts somewhat as before, short-circuiting the contacts |4| through the path 204, 205 and avoiding injury due to long continued current through the gauge points. When the secondary contactor is closed a circuit 91, 280, 206, 93, 201, 285, |94 is provided between the transformer secondary and the slide latch 93, moving the wheel to inactive position andi breaking the circuit through the control devices. The normally open valve |55 of course then again permits the flow ci cooling water. This arrangement gives a constant feed, at first under wet conditions and then under dry; with a period of drift, or grinding without feed, under dry conditions. The work piece is cooled by the flow of cooling water before removal.

In Fig. 18 a somewhat similar arrangement is shown, the switch |46 being, however, closed when arm |2| is up. The switch 50 admits current to the primary ci the transformer- |5| through path 2|0, |50, 2li, 2|2, |5|, 2|3. Grinding proceeds with the normal feed, water on, until the contacts |4| are actuated. l A path 2|4, |5|, 2|5, |56, 2|6, 2| 1, 5| is thus provided, energizing the relaycoil |56 and permitting current from the line |52 to flo-w through the path 2|0, |50, 2|I, 2|8, |56, 2|9, |55, and 225. This closes the valve |55 and shuts off the supply of cooling water. At the same time the closing of the circuit through the high voltage side of relay |56 permits current to flow through path 220, 221, |51, 228, |46, 230, 2|9, 2|8, energming the time relay. Grinding proceeds under the constant feed until the time relay closes its secondary contactor, whereupon current flows through the path 2i'4, 22|, 222, 8, 223, |45, 224, 2|1, |5|, and releases the catch H8. The resulting fall of ann |2| opens switches |45 and |45, opening the circuits through the catch and the time relay. Grinding proceeds, still without cooling water, until the final gauge contacts |42 are actuated, when a circuit is provided through the path 2|4, |42, 225, 93, 226, 2|1, |5|, the catch 93 is released. This removes the wheel from contact with the Work, and opens switch discontinuing all current throughthe control circuits and permitting valve |55 to open.

work is thus cooled before removal.

In Fig. 19 the time relay has not been used. On the initiation of thegrinding operation switch the arm ||3 to fall, reducing the which is at once released;-

vwhich releases catch ||8,

|50 is closed by arm 56. A path 230, |50, 23|, 232, 5l, 233 is thus provided to energize the primary of the transformer. Vaive 55 is in its normally open position and switches |45 and |48 are closed as arms 3 and |2| are raised. When contacts |4| are closed a double path is provided; first through 234, |4|, 235. |56, 236, 231, 233 andv i 5|, and second through .234, |4|, 235, 239, |25, 240, |48, 24|, 231, 238, and |5|. The current in the first path energizesthe relay |56 and permits current to now from the main line through 230, |50, 23|, 243, |56, 244, |55 and `245, so as to close the valve |55. 'Ihe current in the second circuit releases catch |25 and permits rate of wheel feed and also opening said second circuit by means of switch |48. Grinding goes on at the finishing rate until contacts |42 close. A path 234, |42, 246, 241, H8, 248, |45, 259, 231, 238, |5| is thereby set up, releasing catch ||8 to stop the wheel feed and opening the circuit by switch |45. A second path 234, |42, 246, 250, 93, 25|, 238, |5| is also set up, releasing catch 93 and removing the `wheel from the work. As before, the water is turned on by the deenergizing of valve |55 when switch i 50 automatically opens.

The arrangement of Fig. 20 dispenses with the cooling water control, but uses the time relay switch. When arm 56 is swung into position to be held by catch 93 it closes switch |50, presenting a path 255, |50, 256, 25?, |5|, 258 to the primary of the, transformer. Grinding proceeds with a coarse feed until contacts 4| are closed, forming a. path 259, |4|, 260, |25, 26|, |48, 262, |5| which releases the catch |25 to make the changeover to the finishing feed. diately by means of switch |48. Grinding proceeds then with a fine feed untii the contacts 42 close, presenting a path 259, |42, 263, H8, 264, |45, 265, 262, |5| which releases catch ||8 and is itself immediately broken by switch |45. The wheel is still in contact with the work, but without relative feeding motion. The fall of arm |2| also closes switch |46 and forms a path 255, |5|), 256, 266, I5?, 261, |46, 268 which starts the time dela;7 relay. After the period for which the relay is set has elapsed its secondary contactor will close, and a path 259, 269, |51, 210, 93, 21|, 262, |5| will be presented which will release catch 93 and open switch |50.

Fig. 21 shows a somewhat similar arrangement. The switch |55 as before initiates the operation, offering a path 280, |50, 28|, 282, |5|, 283 to the primary of the transformer. When the grinding under coarse feed has proceeded to the point where contacts |4| close, a path 283, |4|, 284, |25, 285, |48, 286, v281, |5| is provided which releases catch |25, opens its circuit through switch |48, changes from coarse to finish feed, and In this case switch |45 is closed and switch |49 open when the'arms |i3 and |2| are held up by catches ||8 and |25. A circuit 288, |50, 28|, |51, 288, |49, 289, |46, 290 is thus provided which starts the time relay |51. As soon as the secondary contacter has been actuated a path 281, 29|, |45, 292, ||8, 293, |51, 294, 283, |55i is set up breaks its circuit by opening switch |45, and opens switch |46, disconnecting the time relay. Grinding is continwork remaining The grinding operation is thus ended.

This circuit is opened immey closes switch |49.

What I claim is:

l. An automatic control for grinding machines of the type having feeding mechanism for causing relative approach of the wheel'and work and having controllable apparatus to provide a flow of coolant onto the work, a single feeler in continuous engagement with the work being ground for gauging the prcgress of the grinding operation, a plurality of electric circuits each having a switch and an electro-magnetic device therein and being actuable by movement of the feeler, one of said devices being connected to stop the feeding mechanism upon actuation of its switch, another of said devices being connected upon actuation of its switch to actuate the coolant control apparatus and thereby vary the flow of coolant during the progress ofthe grinding operation, and separate control mechanisms actuated through movement of the feeler to minimize arcing in said switches.

2. In a grinding machine of the type having` mechanism for causing relative approach of the wheel and work and having controllable apparatus 'to provide a flow of coolant onto the work, sizing mechanism including a feeler to contact the work during the grinding process and electrical contact devices controlled by said feeler, an electric circuit through which current is permitted to pass by the closure of said contact devices, means to open said circuit immediately after the initial flow of current therein whereby only a momentary flow of current occurs, means operable by said momentary current for stopping the relative approach of the wheel and work, and means controlled by movement of the feeler for varying the flow of coolant.

, 3. In a grinding machine of the type having feeding mechanism for causing relative approach of the wheel and Work and including a ratchet and a pawl device adapted to provide variable feeding impulses thereof, sizing mechanism including a feeler to contact the work during the grinding process and electrical contact devices closed by said feeler, a plurality of electrical circuits through which current is permitted to pass by the closing of said contact devices, means to openone of said circuits immediately after vthe initial flow of current therein whereby only a momentary flow of current occurs, means operable by said momentary current to interrupt the normal feeding impulse through said pawl device, and means operable through the momentary closing of another of said electrical circuits to actuate mechanism whereby the wheel and work will be separated.

4. In a grinding machine of the type having feeding mechanism for relative approach of the wheel and work, sizing mechanism including a feeler to contact the work throughout the grinding process, electrical contact devices closed by said feeler, a plurality of electrical circuits through which current is permitted to pass by closure of said contact devices, means to open one of said circuits immediately after the initial flow of current occurs, means operable by said momentary currcpt for interrupting the approach of the wheel and work, and means initiated by movement of the feeler and actuatable through the momentary closing of another of said circuits to effect a separation of the wheel and work.

5. An automatic control for grinding machines of thetype having feeding mechanism for causing relative approach of the tool and work, a single feeler in continuous engagement with the work being ground for gauging the progress of the grinding operation, means including an electric circuit having a switch and an electromagnetic device therein, which is connected to stop the feeding mechanism upon closure ofthe switch,

control mechanism which is actuated by movement of the feeler to a predetermined position when the work has been ground to a required size and which in turn closes the switch rapidly and insures the minimum of arcing thereof meehanism including a second switch which operates automatically after the actuation of the electromagnetic device to reopen the circuit and prevent flow of current through the switch governed by the feeler, and means including a time delay device caused to function upon the actuation of one of said switches which is connected to separate the tool and work after'a predetermined time interval.

6. In a grinding machine of the type having mechanism for causing relative approach of the wheel and work, sizing mechanism including a feeler to contact the work during the grinding process, and electrical contact devices controlled by said feeler, an electrical circuit through which current is permitted to pass by the closure of said contact devices, means to open said circuit immediately after the initial flow of current therein whereby only a momentary current occurs, and means operable by said momentary current for separating the wheel and the work.

7. In a grinding'machine of the type having mechanism for causing relative approach of the wheel and the work, sizing mechanism including a feeler to contact the work during the grinding process and electrical contact devices controlled by said feeler, an electrical circuit through which current is permitted to pass by the closure of said contact devices, means to open said circuit immediately after the initial ow of current therein whereby only a momentaryflow of current occurs, means operable by said momentary current for stopping the relative approach of the wheel and workf and a time delay relay started by said momentary current and operable after the lapse of a predetermined time to separate the wheel and work.

8. An automatic control for grinding machines of the type having feeding mechanism for causing relative approach of the wheel and work and having apparatus to provide a now of coolant onto the Work, a single feeler for gauging the progress of the grinding operation, mechanisms operable to produce upon their individual actuation different functions during the sequence of the grinding operation, electromagnetic control means operable upon 'a momentary flow of current to actuate said mechanisms, electrical contacts progressively closed by movement of the feeler in its motion resulting from the continuance of the grinding operation, which cause said momentary ow of current, mechanism caused to function by closing one of said circuits to thereby vary the flow of coolant upon the work, mechanism caused to` function by closing another of said circuits for suspending the approach of the wheel and work for a predetermined interval of time and upon the termination oi said interval being operable to actuate other mechanism for causing the wheel to be separated from the work.

9. An automatic control for grinding machines of the type having feeding mechanism for causing relative approach of the tool and work, a feeler for gauging the progress of the grinding operation, mechanisms operable to produce upon their individual actuation different functions in the sequence of the grinding operation, electromagnetic control means operable upon a ow of current to actuate said mechanisms two electrical circuits having switches closed rapidly and succes-y sively by movement of the feeler in its motion resulting from the continuance of the grinding operation, mechanism caused to function by closing one of saidgcircuits to vary the speed of the feeding movement, mechanism caused to function by closing another of said circuits for suspending the approach of the tool and work for a predetermined interval of time and upon the termination of said interval being operable to actuate mechanism whereby the tool will be separated from the work, means including a separate switch which automatically breaks each electric circuit after its switch has been closed and prevents arcing in the switch governed by the feeler, and mechanism which automatically removes the tool *from grinding contact with the Work.

10. An automatic control for grinding machines oi.' the type having feeding mechanism for causing relative approach of the tool and work, a feeler for gauging the progress of the grinding operation, mechanisms operable to produce upon their individual actuation different functions in the sequence of the grinding operation, electromagnetic control means operable upon a flow of current to actuate said mechanisms, two electrical circuits having switches closed rapidly and successively by movement of the feeler in its motion resulting from the continuance of the grinding .operation, mechanism caused to function by closing one of said circuits to vary the speed of the feeding movement, mechanism caused to function by closing another of said circuits which cause the tool to be separated from the work, and means including a separate switch which automatically breaks each electric circuit after its switch has been closed and prevents arcing in the switches governed by the feeler.

11. An automatic control for grinding machines of the type having feeding mechanism for causing relative approach of the wheel and work, a single feeler resting on the work for gauging the progress of the grinding operation, a plurality of electric circuits, each having an electromagnet and a switch therein, means'operated by one circuit and electromagnet to change the rate of tool feed from a roughing to a nish cut, means operated by another circuit and `electromagnet to stop the wheel feed, a time delay device caused to function upon the actuation of one of said switches to permit a normal drift die-out of wheel cutting and being operable thereafter to actuate mechanism whereby the wheel will be separated from the work, and mechanism including another switch, which operates automatically after the actuation of one of the electromagnetic devices to reopen the circuit and prevent flow of current through the switch governed by the feeler.

12. An automatic control for grinding machines of the type having feeding mechanism for causing relative approach of the wheel and worin Ytoa finish cut and and having controllable apparatus to provide a llow of coolant fluid onto the work, a feeler for gauging the progress of the grinding operation, a plurality of electric circuits, each having an electromagnet and a switch therein, means operated by one circuit and electromagnet to change the rate of feed of the feeding mechanism from a roughing to a nish cut, means operated by another circuit to suspend the movement of the feeding mechanism for a predetermined interval of time and thereafter to actuate mechanism to separate the wheel and work and upon such separation to actuate said uid control apparatus, control mechanism which is actuated by movement of the feeler when the work has reached a desired size to close one of said switches rapidly and insure a minimum of arcing thereof, and mechanism which operates automatically after the actuation of the electromagnetic device to reopen the circuit and prevent flow of current through the switch governed by the feeler.

13. An automatic ,control ,for grinding machines of the type having feeding mechanism for causing relative approach of the wheel and work, and having controllable apparatus to provide a ow of coolant iluid onto the work, a plurality of electric circuits, each having an electromagnet and a switch therein, meansY operated by one circuit and electromagnet to change the rate of feed of the feeding mechanism from a roughing to actuate the controllable apparatus and thereby stop the ow of coolant, means operated by another circuit to suspend the movement of the feeding mechanism for a predetermined interval of time and thereafter to actuate mechanism to separate the wheel and work and upon such separation to again actuate said controllable apparatus and reopen the iiow of coolant upon the work, a single feeler for contacting the work during the grinding process and means controlled by said feeler for actuating said. circuits.

14. A cross feed mechanism for grinding mchines comprising a ratchet, a pawl engageable with the ratchet, members forming a lost motion connection to impart periodic movement to the ratchet, an abutment element movable with the pawl, a lever, an adjustably positioned abutment carried by the lever and operable to engage the first named abutment, to thereby reduce the extent of the lo'st motion, and means for actuating said lever.

15. A cross feed mechanism for grinding machines comprising a ratchet, a pawl member engageable with the ratchet and having an abutment portion thereofremote from the ratchet engaging portion, members forming a lost motion connection to impart periodic movement to the ratchet, a lever, an eccentric stud adjustably rotatable on the lever and operable to engage said abutment, to thereby reduce the extent of the lost motion, and automatic means for actuating the lever.

BYRON F. STOWELL. 

